Jail Privatization, Essay Example

Arguments ‘for’ and ‘against’ jail privatization

Jail privatization can be described as shifting the management, development and service delivery of jails from public to private sector. The proponents claim that privatization of jails will reduce the escalated costs as well as crowding in jails. They state that they are generally dissatisfied with how the county government is handling the whole issue. The advocates for jail privatization also state that the measure is actually a practical option especially at the time when a jurisdiction intends to quickly update the facilities in reaction to an order from the court for additional capacity. In addition, they also claim that operations of the jail facilities will be much efficient and cost-effective when left in the hands of private organizations (p. 192).

On the other hand, the opponents of jail privatization tend to dispute the issue of comparison of costs. They state that it is the responsibility of the county government to run jails rather than delegating the responsibility and power to private organizations. They claim that justice administration is a pure responsibility of the government and a state authority symbol that need not to be delegated. The opponents’ fear is that jail privatization may trigger private organizations to apply their political power and initiate programs that are not of public interest. The opponents also raise the issue of accountability claiming that there will be no one to closely monitor the operations and performance of private corporations (p. 192).

My position on the debate is that jails should not be privatized. When the operations of the jails lies in the hands of private corporations, there is likelihood that most of them will initiate and run programs geared towards fulfilling their interests as opposed to the interest of the public. This actually seems to be the greatest fear of the opponents as stated above.

Source: Chapter 6: Institutional corrections. Jails: Way Stations along the Justice Highway.